Expository Writing Techniques PDF

EXPOSITORY WRITING a type of discourse or essay that explains, interprets, or analyzes a specific topic presents or provides information about a particular topic or issue sometimes called INFORMATIONAL WRITING where the writer provides facts on a given topic in a...

EXPOSITORY WRITING a type of discourse or essay that explains, interprets, or analyzes a specific topic presents or provides information about a particular topic or issue sometimes called INFORMATIONAL WRITING where the writer provides facts on a given topic in a way that is educational and purposeful may also include providing descriptions, citing reasons, presenting explanations, and enumerating steps of a specific process Structural Elements: INTRODUCTION - Hook - Attention-grabber sentence - Can be a rhetorical question - Background Information - Thesis Statement – introduces the main topic or idea Body - Discussion of the details related to the main topic or idea - Includes: - Evidence and support Conclusion - An effective conclusion does not only summarize the ideas presented but also ties the ideas together while highlighting the true essence of the main idea in the text Idea Development Patterns: DESCRIPTION - The author describes a topic by listing characteristics, features, and examples. SEQUENCE - The author lists items or events in numerical or chronological order; presents steps or process COMPARISON - The author explains how two or more things are alike and/or how they are different. CAUSE AND EFFECT - The author lists one or more causes and the effects or consequences. PROBLEM AND SOLUTION - The author states a problem and lists one or more solutions for the problem. A variation of this pattern is the question- and-answer format in which the author poses a question and then answers it. Language Features of an Expository Text Word chains of synonyms and antonyms and word families of general nouns. Abstract nouns, such as happiness and fear, and technical words, such as species and genus, are used. Action (jump),saying (beg),mental (challenge),thinking (hope),modal (must) and relating verbs (it is vital) are used. Reasons for actions or choices are shown using connectives, e.g. however, similarly ,mainly, therefore, so because, the first reason. Emotive words are used to involve the audience. e.g. The overuse of our resources will destroy the land. Evaluative language adding the voice of authority is found. e.g. It is most important that all people... The personal pronoun I is often removed. The author speaks persuasively of people, places and things already in the text ,e.g. she, them, Australians, citizens.  Reported speech is used when referring to what the majority of people have said on the issue to indicate the support of others for the issue. Generally, the text is written in the present tense but may change to past tense for recounted events or historical evidence. It may be written in the future tense if predictions are being made. A moderate to high degree of modality or certainty is found in the words selected, for example often, nearly, most, generally, might, could. This depends on whether the writer wants to feel authoritative and definite or open to discussion. The use of signal words always plays a crucial role as they make clear transitions from one idea to another. It also gives the readers a hint of where a particular idea is leading to. Signal Words – Words that are used to connect ideas and show their relationship 1. DESCRIPTION - for example, for instance, to illustrate, such as, including, like 2. SEQUENCE – first, second, third, before, after, finally, then, previously 3. COMPARISON – but, on the other hand, as well as, similar to, different from, however, in contrast, although, in the same way 4. CAUSE AND EFFECT– because, consequently, since, therefore, as a result, thus, for this reason, this led to, due to 5. PROBLEM AND SOLUTION – since, consequently, a solution, therefore. so that, in order to PERSUASION - A technique that is used to present ideas to influence the audience or to convince them to perform a certain action PERSUASIVE TEXT - Any text which main purpose is to convince, motivate, or move readers towards a certain point of view or opinion Purpose - INFLUENCE OPINION Language - PERSUASIVE, EMOTIVE Characteristics - EMOTION-BASED, COMBINES FACTS WITH EMOTIONS, ignores counterclaims, presents one side: the author’s viewpoint Structural Elements: - INTRODUCTION Hook - Attention-grabber sentence - Can be a rhetorical question Background Information Thesis Statement – stand and reasons - BODY Evidence and support – Facts, statistics, opinion, anecdotes, emotional appeal - CONCLUSION SUMMARY OF THE POINTS PRESENTED RESTATEMENT OF THESIS STATEMENT CALL TO ACTION – a statement that encourages the readers to adopt a viewpoint or take an action Modes of Persuasion - Ethos (Credibility and Trust) refers to the credibility, authority, or ethical appeal of the speaker or writer relies on the reputation, expertise, and character of the communicator to establish credibility and gain the audience's trust - Logos (Logic – Facts/Evidence) pertains to the use of logic, reasoning, and evidence to support an argument or claim relies on the presentation of facts, statistics, examples, analogies, and logical deductions to convince the audience of the validity and soundness of the argument - Pathos (Emotion) involves appealing to the emotions, values, and beliefs of the audience aims to evoke empathy, sympathy, joy, fear, anger, or other emotional responses in the audience to persuade them to accept a particular viewpoint or take action CRITIQUE ▪ an in-depth evaluation of a story, novel, film, or other reading/viewing materials to give the public an insight into the text ▪ could be: - a critical essay - an article evaluating a literary piece - a review ▪ structural elements/steps in writing a critique: - INTRODUCTION - Mention the name of the author and the title of the work. - Give a summary, including a description, background, or context of the work. - Indicate the elements you want to examine and state the purpose of your critique. - BODY - Give a systematic and detailed assessment of the different elements of the work, but make sure that your discussion and judgment will be supported by specific details such as quotes or examples from the work itself. (This is the main bulk of the critical essay, and it may run for more than three paragraphs.) - Analysis, Interpretation, and Evaluation of the text - CONCLUSION - State your overall assessment of the story’s value, worth, and significance (both positive and negative) - Give recommendations for improvement if necessary. ▪ Additional reminders that budding critics need to take note of when writing a critique: - Avoid introducing your ideas by stating “I think” or “In my opinion” because this weakens the analysis. - Always introduce the work. Do not assume that the readers know what you are writing about and that you don’t need to mention some details anymore. - To be able to write a good critique and help readers understand the story, you yourself should know well what you are writing about. ▪ Critical Approaches - Moralist Approach - evaluates literature based on its moral or ethical values - Analyzes: - how the actions and decisions of characters align with or challenge societal norms and ethical standards - the ethical and moral values presented in the text - Marxist Approach - examines literature through the lens of economics and social class - Analyzes: - how power, wealth, and social status influence the characters, themes, and messages in a text - Feminist Approach - analyzes literature through the lens of gender, exploring how it portrays and represents women, gender roles, and power dynamics between genders - looks for themes of equality, representation, and empowerment. - Historical Approach - examines literature in its historical context, considering the time period it was written in and the cultural, social, and political influences of that time - helps readers understand how literature reflects and responds to historical events and ideas. - Reader-Response Approach - focuses on the reader's interpretation and experience of a text - considers how different readers might interpret a work differently based on their own backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences - Structuralist/Formalist Approach - focuses on the structure of a text, looking at patterns, symbols, and language to understand its meaning - Analyzes the: - Literary elements - Literary devices - Structure - Language